The new year brings new laws in California

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are new laws in California in 2019 that will affect those on the road, bike paths, eating at restaurants, paying bail and receiving minimum wage. In 2018, 1,217 bills made it to Governor Brown's desk and he signed 1,016 of them which are now new laws.

Here is a highlight of some of those laws which will soon be in effect:

Bicycle Hit-and-Run on Bike Paths - The felony hit-and-run law now extends to cyclists on Class 1 bikeways per AB 1755, Steinorth. Currently, in the California Vehicle Code, a driver involved in a collision resulting in death or injury to another party is required to stop at the scene. This law clarifies that the same vehicle code also applies on Class I bikeways and allows law enforcement to hold individuals accountable for reckless behavior.

Bicycle Helmets - Those under the age of 18 are requried by law to wear a helmet whie on a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or skates isn't a new law, but failure to wear one now gives the violator a "fix-it" ticket. Per AB 3077 (Caballero) A citation is considered non-punitive and correctable if proof that the minor has completed a bicycle safety course and has a helmet that meets safety standards is presented within 120 days to the issuing law enforcement agency.

Motorized Scooter Helmets - Bicycle helmets are no longer required for riders of motorized scooters who are age 18 or older after passage of AB 2989, Flora. Motorized scooters may operate within a Class IV bikeway as well as a Class II bikeway and on highways with speed limits up to 25 miles per hour. Local jurisdictions may pass ordinances to allow motorized scooters on highways with speed limits up to 35 miles per hour. It is still illegal to operate a motorized scooter on a sidewalk.

Vehicle Exhaust Violations - Certain vehicle exhaust violations no longer correctable (AB 1824, Committee on Budget). A fine will become mandatory, not correctable, when loud motor vehicles and motorcycles are cited. Previously, a driver or motorcyclist who was cited for modified or excessively loud exhaust or muffler systems could correct the violation to avoid a fine.

Safety for Sanitation Workers - Passing waste service vehicles (AB 2115, Santiago) now has rules to provide a safety margin for sanitation workers while they are actively working. When approaching or overtaking a refuse collection vehicle with its amber lights flashing, drivers must move into an adjacent lane, if possible, and pass at a safe distance. If it is not possible, drivers must slow to a safe and reasonable speed.

Plastic Straws - South Lake Tahoe has had rules on plastic straws being provided in restaurants since October, but Assembly Bill 1884 has now changed California's Retail Food Code. Restaurants in the state may not provide their customers with plastic straws unless they ask for them. There are hopes the law will keep the harmful plastic away from wildlife and pollution of rivers, lake and the ocean. .

Street Food - Safe Sidewalk Vending Act gives street vendors have expanded rights due to Senate Bill 946 which prohibits cities and counties from banning street vendors from selling food and requires they create a sidewalk vending program to regulate them. South Lake Tahoe has a mobile food vendor ordinance going to City Council in January.

Gender Representation on Corporate Boards - Senate Bill 826 will require publicly traded companies based in California to have at least one woman on their board of directors by the end of 2019.

HOV Lanes - While the Sierra has no carpool lanes, those heading off the hill come across them. Prior to 2019 low-emission cars were able to sport a green and white decal that allowed drivers with these vehicles to drive in carpool lanes - these expire January 1. Drivers of zero-emission vehicles can apply for new decals to continue driving in HOV lanes, but the criteria will become stricter, excluding hybrids in favor of zero-emission electric cars.

Minimum Wage - Since Senate Bill 3 passed in 2016, minimum wage in California has gradually increased and in 2019 people working at companies with 25 or fewer employees are required to earn at least $11 per hour, while larger companies will be required to pay employees at least $12 per hour.

Daylight Savings - March could be the last time Californians change their clocks to "spring forward." In the November midterms, voters overwhelmingly approved Prop. 7, the ballot initiative that proposed giving the state legislature the power to end Daylight Saving Time. On Dec. 3, Assemblyman Kansen Chu, D-San Jose, introduced AB 7, a bill that, if passed, would set California’s standard time to year-round Daylight Saving Time, as long as the federal government approves.

Bail Reform - This doesn't start until Oct. 1, 2019. California will replace its money-based bail system. The passage of Senate Bill 10 mandates state courts replace the current bail system with an algorithmic risk-assessment system to determine whether defendants can be released pre-trial.

Regulating Rehab Centers - Senate Bill 823 brings new regulations to California's 2,000 licensed rehab centers, requiring centers that use non-medical practices, like the 12-step model of Alcoholics Anonymous, to adopt American Society of Addiction Medicine's treatment criteria. Senate Bill 1228 makes a practice known as "patient-brokering," in which rehab centers pay patients to stay at their facilities in order to bill insurers, illegal.